Method of exhibiting boots and shoes



(No Model.)

0. L. HIGGINS.

METHOD OF EXHIBITING BOOTS AND SHOES.

No. 291,729. Patented Jan. 8, 1884.

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TA'IES CHARLES L. HIGGINS, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN E. WVHEELER, TRUSTEE, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF EXHIBITING BOOTS AND SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,729, dated January 8, 1884.

Application filed July 28, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. HIGGINS, of Montreal, in the District of Montreal and Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented a new and Improved Device for Expanding the Uppers of Boots and Shoes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

It is a fact well understood that the shape and peculiar style of a boot or shoe appears to best advantage only while the upper is rounded out and expanded by the footof the wearer, or by some artificial means. Hence has arisen the custom, practiced to a wide extent, of stuffing the boot or shoe with paper, rags, cotton, or other artificial means; but prior to myinvention no means have been devised whereby the upper of a boot or shoe can be completely and symmetrically rounded out with expedition and dispatch; and to.

produce a device for this purpose which shall be cheap to manufacture, easy to operate, and effectual in accomplishing this result is the object of my present invention.

To this end the invention consists in a device adapted to be inserted within the shoe and then inflated and expanded outwardly against the boot or shoe upper, as hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved upperexpander. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same and a shoe, and illustrates the manner of using the invention.

The pouch B is preferably composed of rubber, and in size and form it is made to approximate the size and form of the boot or shoe in which it is intended for use. It will of course be readily understood that instead of rubber some other flexible material can be used to make the pouch, and two good results may be obtained with a pouch whose normal shape is quite unlike that of the boot or shoe, though better results and more satisfaction is obtained if the size and form of the pouch is made to approximate that of the shoe or boot in which it is intended for use. The pouch is constructed with an interior chamber, and the walls of the pouch are made quite thin, to allow of easy expansion. Extending (No model.)

from the pouch is a tube, D, whichis closed at one end, and in the side thereof is a hole, d, that communicates with the interior channel of the tube, which channel, running along the interior of the tube, opens into the interior chamber of the pouch B. Surrounding thetube is a metallic band, E, which is madeto fit closely on the tube, yet sufficiently loose to permit being moved longitudinally thereon. It should be wide enough so that when brought into proper position it will completely cover the hole (1, and also aportion of the material where itimmediately surrounds the same. The pouch may be allowed to extend up into the ankle of the shoe or the leg of a boot as far as occasion or taste may require.

In operation, the device is first placed within the shoe, whereupon air or other gaseous or liquid substance may be forced into the same through the tube D by placing the end of the tube in the mouth or in any obvious manner. In this way the pouch is gradually inflated and expands outward till restrained by the upper of the shoe. WVhen the upper has become fully rounded out, the pipe is with drawn from the mouth and the band E moved into position over the hole d, thus preventing the air from escaping until the band is again removed. The shoe may then be placed in position for show, or it may be handled and examined, and will permit being jammed and handled to considerable extent without danger of cracking or damaging the upper.

Having described my invention, and the best way known to me of putting the same into practical operation, I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure The improvement in the art of exhibiting boots and shoes, consisting in distending and holding distended the uppers thereof by means substantially as described, whereby their symmetrical form and shape are exposed and maintained by elastic pressure, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

' CHARLES L. HIGGINS.

Witnesses:

FORREST W. BEALE, O. B. TUTTLE. 

